Plans for Doncaster cinema and restaurant development approved

Kate Mason

It’s lights, camera action as planning permission for a new cinema and restaurant development set to create 100 jobs has been approved.

Work on the to the scheme that will include a 984 seat cinema and four family restaurants in Doncaster’s Civic and Cultural Quarter is set to begin in Spring 2016.

Artist impression of the new Doncaster cinema

Contracts have now been exchanged with Savoy Cinemas for the delivery of the state-of-the-art six screen cinema and developers confirmed they are in discussion with a number of well-known family restaurant operators.

The bespoke-designed cinema and restaurants will complement Cast theatre to provide a vibrant cultural and leisure development for the third side of Sir Nigel Gresley Square.

Simon Dew, senior development surveyor at Muse Developments, said: “The commitment of Savoy Cinemas to Doncaster Civic and Cultural Quarter and the recent confirmation of planning consent is collectively a major milestone for our plans to deliver a high quality family leisure destination, which will boost footfall and bring wider benefits to the whole town centre.

“We are in active discussions with a number of well-known family restaurant operators that are keen to be part of this exciting development and look forward to making further announcements in the near future.”

Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, said the news confirmed the growing confidence of investors in Doncaster.

She added: “A new cinema and restaurants in the Waterdale area will help continue the regeneration of Doncaster and enhance the range of cultural and leisure attractions available in this part of the town centre.

“My top priority is creating jobs and growth right across the borough. We have a number of major regeneration schemes taking place such as FARRRS and the National College for High Speed Rail.”

James Collington, Managing Director of Savoy Cinemas, added: “We are delighted that all parts of the development have now fallen into place and that we can now confidently move forwards with our next venue. This will feature the very best facilities available for 21st century cinema and be a fantastic addition to Doncaster town centre”

Doncaster Council and urban regeneration specialist, Muse Developments, worked in partnership to deliver the award-winning first phase of the scheme, which was completed in 2013.

This comprises a 157,000 sq. ft. civic office, ‘Cast’ – the new performance venue, new public square, housing and a refurbished 850-space multi-storey car park.

The development is programmed to start on site in Spring 2016 and be completed by early 2017.